Suspected heroin dealer nabbed

COEUR d’ALENE — A man with blood smears on his hands and pants, who told police he had a gun, was arrested this week at the Huetter rest area along Interstate 90 and charged with trafficking heroin.

At a hearing Tuesday, Karl W. Kruger, 21, said that despite being arrested with more than an ounce of black tar heroin wrapped like golf balls into plastic baggies, his charges should be for a smaller quantity.

“I thought I was being charged with over seven grams but under 28 grams,” Kruger said.

The amount of heroin, according to state code, determines the minimum mandatory prison time.

Kruger was arrested with 30.5 grams of heroin, according to police.

Prosecutors asked bond be set at $40,000. First District Senior Magistrate Pat McFadden set bond at $20,000.

Idaho State Police stopped Kruger and the driver of a 2001 Subaru Monday around 5 p.m. for allegedly failing to signal a turn and driving 73 mph in a 70 mph zone on eastbound I-90.

Police said Kruger and the driver, Leslie J. Dillon, 29, appeared extremely nervous. Police found a Springfield Armory .45-caliber handgun, which was reported stolen out of Lewis Clark County, in the car, according to a report.

Kruger, who said he is from Helena but whose driver’s license shows a California birthplace, asked the court for a lower bond amount and ensured attorneys and the judge he has always showed up to his court appointments.

In addition to the heroin and handgun, police found a dozen hypodermic needles, packages of baggies, scales and assorted paraphernalia, including a fake Arizona tea can with a hidden compartment.

Kruger faces a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence for allegedly trafficking more than 28 grams of heroin. If charges are reduced to trafficking between 7 and 28 grams, the mandatory minimum would be 10 years behind bars.

His preliminary hearing will be within 14 days of his initial appearance.

Police did not say why Kruger had blood on his hands and pants.